Page 83 of You Were Invited
“He’ssosweet.”
“Amazed you haven’t kissed his head just to show off.”
Smirking, Annie planted a smooch between Kitty’s ears.
Kitty shifted his weight in her arms. He was still purring, but with less enthusiasm.Please don’t tear my chest and arms a new one…she thought before asking, “Has he been getting less shy?”
“He sat in the same room as me. Once. That I know of. While I slept.”
“That’s wonderful!” She wanted more than anything for Julian to pet his cat. “Okay...” She addressed Kitty. “Are you goin’ to be a brave boy and let your daddy pet you?”
“I’m not his daddy,” Julian muttered.
Lifting a finger to Kitty’s white chin, Annie moved his lower lip up and down as she said in a fake voice, “Yes, I is brave and want Daddy to pet me.”
Julian rolled his eyes.
While encouraging Kitty with cheek rubs and holding him a little more snuggly, she took a couple steps towards Julian. She cooed again at the cat. “Shhh, it’s okay... Hold out your hand, Julian.”
Julian lifted his hand.
Kitty squirmed.
“Shhh... shhh... it’s okay,” she murmured. Annie rocked him like she was soothing a crying baby. Kitty licked his chops and relaxed when Annie scritched his chin.
“He’s gonna bolt.”
“Nah, he’s going to be the bestest boy...” Taking two more steps towards Julian, she said, “This isn’t so scary, huh, Kitty?”
Kitty squished a bit against her chest, but looked curiously at Julian’s hand, which was close enough to touch his black fur. A small chirp escaped Kitty, but he didn’t fight Annie’s grasp.
Frowning, Julian walked over, leaned down, and picked a few pieces of kibble out of Kitty’s bowl. He offered it to his cat.
Kitty’s little black nostrils flared. His head bobbed with enthusiasm. Waving his paw, he snagged a few pieces from Julian’s flat palm. They dropped to the floor.
Annie laughed. “Maybe it’s time to get him some treats.”
Julian smiled. Gingerly, he extended his hand, fingers curved downward slightly.
Kitty arched his neck and met Julian partway. His little snout moved as his nose kissed Julian’s skin.
“Good boy... Brave boy.” Annie held her breath. Julian turned his hand, fingertips brushing Kitty’s cheeks.
The cat started purring again.
Joy filled her heart when she glanced at Julian’s face. She thought he was tearing up.
“Maybe I’ll actually have a cat now.”
Kitty endured their affection a little longer until he decided it was time for Annie to put him down. He lashed his tail, letting out a meow of protest.
“Good to catch up once in a while,” Julian said.
Annie giggled, setting Kitty on the back of the couch. Kitty leaped down, jogged towards the stairs, and disappeared around the corner.
“You know... if you think about it, emotions are kinda like cats,” Annie remarked. “Like emotional intelligence?”
“How so?”
